Welcome to our June Newsletter, whilst we remain in lockdown we have loads of great opportunities to work across the wider MLC network to make music together. Check out some exciting opportunities coming up.
MLC Graded Exams remain postponed
With UK’s lockdown restrictions being eased, you may have received direct communication from exam boards.
As an exam centre, we will remain closed until further notice. The safety of our students, our team members and everyone’s families are of utmost importance to us and, in the current climate, we cannot guarantee social distancing in our exam centre/exam rooms at MLC West Bridgford, or City centre.
We have spoken to RSL and have confirmed that any student already enrolled in an exam (Due back in March, or due in period B, summer) will have one of two options.
- Option 1 – Postpone exam, keep working and attend a face to face exam when our exam centre is safe to reopen (we have no guidance on when this may be yet)
- Option 2 – When your tutor feels the time is right, and all exam content is completed, the student can move on to the next grade and we will allow you to re-register for the exam next year (or when ready) and you’ll only pay the different between the price of the two exams
Our goal is to keep all students moving forward in their path of learning, and so we recommend option 2. Remember though, RSL syllabus has 12 songs per book and there is no harm, in learning more than the 3 needed for an exam. Our tutors have a wealth of information and knowledge at their disposal to keep all our students progressing during this challenging time.
Once again, we thank you for your understanding and patience in the matter. We will communicate when the exam centre is safe to reopen.
Abbey Road Music – Re-opens Monday 15th June
We are delighted to announce that Abbey Road Music will be reopening its doors for retail next Monday 15th June. New measures are in place to ensure a safe shopping environment including safe distancing, hand sanitising and priority booking slots whilst online purchases continue to be available. For more guidance see their website for details.
Please note that, as previously communicated, MLC lessons will not be taking place at Abbey Road this term due to social distancing restrictions.
Summer Stream
As previously communicated our Summer Stream Digital concert preparation is now well underway and we are looking forward to seeing yet another incredible display of talent across MLC Derby, Leicester, Loughborough and Nottingham.
Your teacher should have now provided you with a submission date and guidance for your video.
Look out for further information on dates and times of the Summer Stream including some exciting other activity in the coming weeks.
Upload Virtual festival
We are delighted to be part of the Upload Virtual Festival taking place on 27-28th June. UPLOAD Virtual Festival is a benefit festival supported by Inspire Culture, Learning and Libraries to raise funds for various arts organisations across Nottinghamshire. The event will be held at the beautiful Stream Park Online and will include performances by artists and members of the community.
The virtual festival will host an array of acts across its three stages: The Robin Hood Stage, The River Trent Stage, and The Cave. There are a wide range of talented performers, from musicians, actors, poets, comedians and more! Alongside the entertainment are other activities such as a fun fair, gallery and information point. UPLOAD Virtual Festival will be an immersive experience to remember!
All tickets are free with the option to donate to the various arts organisations. Click here for more details on the line-up and partners.
Here is a special message from Shaun Williamson to tell you all about it!
Video Game Composers
At MLC we have a fantastic opportunity to be included in a live Webinar that will be showcased at the Upload festival. The Webinar will be hosted by Ross Tregenza (a former MLC Student) and Graeme Norgate two of the industry’s leading Video Game Composers.
Ross Tregenza composed for TimeSplitters 2 and Timesplitters Future Perfect after a long career as a working musician. He has since composed and designed sound for over 15 major video games titles including Star Wars Battlefront, Alien Vs Predator, Crysis series and Star Citizen – the record breaking project with a star studded cast including Gary Oldman, Gillian Anderson and Mark Hamill. He has also composed for the BBC and spent several years writing and performing in 80s pop band Visage. Most recently he scored Sonic the Hedgehog for Sega Games and is currently working on two albums.
Graeme Norgate is a composer of some of the world’s most successful game franchises including multi-award winning James Bond Goldeneye, Perfect Dark, Crysis trilogy and Timesplitters trilogy for which he was nominated for two Baftas. He has been audio director at Nottingham’s Free Radical Design, Crytek and Dambuster Studios. As well as composing for over 30 video games in a 29 year career, his creative output includes short films remixing and writing in the chiptune style. He is currently preparing a complete archive of his music to be preserved at the British Library in London.
We are inviting MLC Students aged 11-18 to be part of their Live Q&A which will take place next Tuesday 16th June at 5.30pm. Please email your interest and any questions on music, video games or video game music for Ross and Graeme to laura@mlc-academy.com by Monday 15th June and we will provide you with login details for the webinar.
